The future of IT

Whereas the United States is attempting to curb Chinese growth, especially in the high-tech digital sector, Europe is lagging behind. In France, we have been struggling for decades to take stock of the challenges presented by digital technology, because of our patronising attitude with regard to computer science. It is therefore unrealistic to think that we can make up for lost time with regard to the GAFA (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon) and Baidu (the Chinese Google). However, because of the quality of mathematicians and researchers whom we train (and who frequently follow the ‘brain drain’ to Silicon Valley and Asia), there are still entire areas of innovation which we have yet to explore. Discovering these areas would require a firm, ambitious, political commitment both on a national and a European level; in-depth reform of IT teaching from a young age; and collaboration with scientists from all disciplines in order to create a culture where digital technology can be shared.